University of Tulsa running back Alex Singleton (8) leaps into the end zone for his second touchdown during the first half of a college football game against the University of Houston, Saturday, November 10, 2012 at Robertson Stadium in Houston, TX.

Photo: Eric Christian Smith, For The Chronicle

University of Tulsa running back Alex Singleton (8) leaps into the...

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University of Tulsa 's Dexter McCoil (26) is tackled by University of Houston's Thomas Bates during the first half of a college football game, Saturday, November 10, 2012 at Robertson Stadium in Houston, TX.

Photo: Eric Christian Smith, For The Chronicle

University of Tulsa 's Dexter McCoil (26) is tackled by University...

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University of Tulsa defensive back Dexter McCoil (26) celebrates his interception with teammate Demarco Nelson during the first half of a college football game against the University of Houston, Saturday, November 10, 2012 at Robertson Stadium in Houston, TX.

Photo: Eric Christian Smith, For The Chronicle

University of Tulsa defensive back Dexter McCoil (26) celebrates...

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University of Tulsa quarterback Cody Green (7) is tackled for a loss by a wall oh University of Houston defenders during the first half of a college football game, Saturday, November 10, 2012 at Robertson Stadium in Houston, TX.

On a table in the northwest corner of Robertson Stadium, hundreds of handwritten messages were left on a get-well card for injured University of Houston cornerback D.J. Hayden.

"You're a miracle," one fan wrote to Hayden, who suffered a near-fatal injury in practice four days earlier and remains in stable but critical condition in the intensive-care unit at Memorial Hermann Hospital.

"Coog Nation is praying for you," another read with the Bible scripture Romans 8:28."Get well the NFL needs you."

Another was simply the hash tags used by fans on Twitter throughout the week.

#PrayforDJ.#PlayforDJ.#WinforDJ.

"There are very few times in life you get a second chance," Bart Thomas, a 1992 UH alum, said as he signed the card. "He has a lot of people praying for him. The thing is, you're a Coog for life."

Fans painted No. 2 — Hayden's jersey number — on their faces and arms. Senior Anthony Munoz painted "Pray for D.J." on his back. Nicole Rawlins, another UH student, wore a red shirt with a white No. 2 on the front that her in-laws had printed a day earlier.

"It's hard to think he's not here," Rawlins said.

The UH football team wore the jersey number on the left side of its commemorative homecoming helmets.

Inspired effortThe only thing missing Saturday night was a win, as the Cougars fell to Tulsa 41-7.

Even in defeat, Hayden was on the minds of fans and teammates, just days after needing emergency surgery for a tear of the inferior vena cava, the large vein that carries blood from the lower half of the body back to the heart. Doctors have said the injury — which occurred in a collision with another teammate — is unheard of in football and is 95 percent fatal.

Midway through the first quarter, the crowd of 25,827 erupted into chants of "DJ! DJ!" as highlights of Hayden were shown on the video board to the Foo Fighter's "My Hero."The UH defense, playing without one of its captains, gave an inspired effort in the first quarter, holding Tulsa to a field goal.

Zuhair Siddiqui, a 2010 alum, held up cutouts with the letters 'D' and 'J' as the Cougars made a third-down stop and forced a punt

"He's meant so much to this program," Siddiqui said. "I'm sure (the team) has D.J. on their mind."

Down 41-0, the Cougars avoided their first shutout in 12 years on a 16-yard touchdown pass from backup quarterback Crawford Jones to running back Ryan Jackson with 7:08 remaining. At 4-6, the Cougars now must win their final two games or miss a bowl for only the second time in eight seasons.